Fake Summer Boyfriend

“Imagination is the foundation of all creativity,” I said quietly. “Their brains have to develop away from a screen.”

“But they could be cod ing already.”

I turned to give him a quick kiss. “It’s much too soon.”

Leif grumbled, then stopped as I began to really kiss him.

Somehow my gorgeous husband had become even more handsome with each passing year. We were wrapped in each other’s arms for hours at a time, whenever possible. Now that I was accustomed to his size, and also his gentleness, he never made me nervous.

Not when in the end he’d on

ly waited three weeks to give me a key to his house, and Glen had tied a pink balloon to the giant gate to welcome me to the neighborhood.

Not when Claudia at Ray's Diner had informed me that she was never allowed to give me a bill again, it was always on Leif.

Not even when I found a small black jewelry box at the bottom of my stocking during our very first Christmas together, when we’d hadn’t quite been dating for five months.

Or when he snuck into the shower with me, cornering me against the tile wall like he had this morning. I loved how insatiable we were, and I didn’t think it would ever stop.

Just as our kiss was getting a bit too hot and heavy, we heard his phone buzz. He groaned dramatically, stepping back to check the message. “Glen says that Kelly is on her way.”

I went to the front door while Leif tried to make sense of today’s latest game show.

A tall, athletic woman got out of her car, grabbed a huge duffel bag, and came toward me with a giant smile.

“Hey, Kelly. I’m sorry, they’re already riled up for you today.”

“No problem. I’ll calm them down with a few dozen lengths before we start with the actual lessons.”

Leif and I had decided that if the kids were going to be living in a house with a pool, they were not only going to learn how to swim, but they would be learning life-saving, and all safety rules. Luckily, Kelly was adept at creating age-appropriate lessons, and we figured there was no harm in starting them early.

Plus it had the added bonus of giving us at least a full hour of privacy.

As we walked into the foyer and looked into the living room, we both stopped short. Marta, Leif, and the lamp were now standing precariously on the three cushions, as Tyler was pronouncing the lamp the winner.

“Does any of this make any sense to you?” Kelly whispered.

“It never does,” I laughed. “Okay kids, you have one minute to tidy up, then get out to the pool.”

The pitter patter of little feet had already started tearing around when Leif added, “No running.”

The living room was restored in seconds, then Kelly escorted them outside.

I hadn’t even begun turning toward Leif when he scooped me up in his arms, carrying me up the stairs.

“I can walk. Why must you always annoy me?” I snickered.

“Because you’re adorable when you’re slightly annoyed.”

“How do you know it’s only slightly?”

“Because you’re excited at the opportunity for an afternoon quickie.”

“Naughty boy.”

“Yes, and you love it.” Leif dropped me in the center of the bed, already pulling my clothes off.

He covered me completely, overpowering me with his huge, hard body. As he began muttering filthy words of love against my lips, I surrendered myself completely.